Wyoming Coach Dave Christensen Hospitalized

Wyoming football coach Dave Christensen has a set routine. On Tuesday, his team proved they don’t necessarily need him around to keep that schedule. Christensen left UW’s facilities early Tuesday morning and was admitted to Ivinson Memorial Hospital, where he was being treated for kidney stones. Back at War Memorial Stadium, however, it was business as usual. “That’s the beauty of the program that he’s got set up,” UW assistant head coach Dan Hammerschmidt said. “Some of the other programs that I’ve been to, you’d be … wondering what to do. “But everything is so by-the-book, the same way every year, every practice, every day.” Christensen mentioned that he wasn’t feeling well in passing after his Monday afternoon press conference. He came to UW’s football facilities Tuesday morning, but didn’t make it long before trainers sent him to the hospital. – Star-Tribune

Dan Hawkins on Hot Seat at Colorado

Fourth-year coach Dan Hawkins, 13-26, is showing up on national coaching “hot seat” lists after opening with losses to Colorado State and Toledo, games most CU fans had chalked up as victories before the season. Saturday, Colorado hosts a Wyoming team no doubt brimming with confidence after leading Texas late in the first half last week. Then the meat of CU’s schedule arrives, with a trip to West Virginia followed by Big 12 opponents. CU was favored in its first two games but fell behind early and never recovered. The Buffs couldn’t stop the pass, or the run, and didn’t show much firepower on offense until falling far behind in the 54-38 loss to Toledo last Friday. There’s much to be done — in a hurry. Team captains have called for a players-only meeting this week. And Hawkins said Tuesday the defense will be simplified for Saturday’s game. “You get tied up in knots a little bit with trying to do too much,” Hawkins said. – Denver Post

The Firing Line: Focus on Joe Glenn

“The Firing Line” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on coaches around the country who are in serious jeopardy. The latest edition centers on Wyoming Coach Joe Glenn…

It’s been a tough couple of years for Coach Joe Glenn. Only four years ago, with UW’s huge upset of UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl, it seemed like the Cowboys could accomplish anything. After soaring so high, it’s no wonder that everyone following the team is left wondering how it all came crashing down. This is not the time for anyone to start calling for a new coach. Changing coaches in the middle of a season sometimes has to be done, but it’s generally not a good idea because it’s disruptive. No one is going to come in and get immediate results. The coaching staff has been charged by the administration with the responsibility of running the football program, and there’s more to the evaluation than wins and losses. Academic scores have improved, and the players’ off-the-field behavior has been exemplary. Those successes are important. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about the abilities of the coaching staff and the players, and the loyalty of the fans. – Casper Star-Tribune

Wyoming coach Joe Glenn calls it a “double whammy.” Losing is one thing, he explained, but doing so without scoring makes it even worse. The Cowboys (2-4, 0-3) have experienced both of those frustrating scenarios in two of their last three outings — a 44-0 setback at BYU on Sept. 20 and a 24-0 loss last Saturday in New Mexico… Wyoming’s biggest concerns, however, are internal. The Cowboys have turned the ball over a whopping 22 times in six games, losing 11 fumbles and throwing 11 interceptions. The miscues have led to a poor start, including lopsided losses at home to Air Force (23-3) and Bowling Green (45-16). Wyoming’s only wins have come against Ohio (21-20) and North Dakota State (16-13). – Deseret News